Key facts
- Moderna and Merck's personalized mRNA cancer vaccine combined with Keytruda showed positive late-stage trial results for melanoma.
- The therapy trains the immune system to target specific tumor mutations, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment.
- Moderna shares surged 160% on the news, adding $30 billion in market value.
- The treatment is expected to benefit thousands of melanoma patients and may be applicable to other cancer types.
- Further trials are underway for lung, bladder, kidney, pancreatic, and stomach cancers.
Moderna shares surged dramatically, more than doubling and adding approximately $30 billion to its market value, following the release of promising late-stage trial data for its personalized mRNA cancer therapy developed in collaboration with Merck. The therapy, known as intismeran autogene, combines Moderna's mRNA vaccine technology with Merck's immunotherapy drug Keytruda. The successful trial demonstrated a reduction in the risk of recurrence and spread of skin cancer in patients with surgically removed, high-risk melanoma.
Unlike traditional treatments, this personalized vaccine trains the immune system to specifically target mutations found only on a person's tumor. Experts believe this success validates mRNA technology as a viable cancer treatment and could usher in a new era for treating solid tumors more broadly. Merck and Moderna are already investigating the combination therapy in trials for lung, bladder, kidney, pancreatic, and stomach cancers, with results anticipated in the coming years.
Previous mid-stage trial data showed a significant reduction in cancer recurrence and spread when the vaccine was added to Keytruda. The companies reported no new side effects associated with the combination therapy, with reactions similar to those seen with flu or COVID-19 vaccines. The trial is ongoing, and further data on overall survival is expected.